ALBANY—The New York Power Authority (NYPA), working with the New York State Canal Corporation, will oversee the water drawdown for the seasonal removal of flashboards and fish bypass systems at Vischer Ferry and Crescent dams beginning on Monday, Nov. 26. Flashboards, used to regulate water levels at the hydroelectric power plants, seasonally raise the pond level upstream of the Crescent and Vischer Ferry Dams.

The Vischer Ferry Dam (Lock 7) spans the Mohawk River between Vischer Ferry, Saratoga County, and Niskayuna, Schenectady County. The Crescent Dam (Lock 6) is between Crescent, Saratoga County, and Colonie, Albany County.

The schedule is:

Monday, Nov. 26:PM water levels at Vischer Ferry drop to elevation 211 feet (ft.) by Tuesday AM. This lowering represents a reduction of approximately 2 ft. below water levels normally observed during the canal navigation season.

Tuesday, Nov. 27: AM water levels at Vischer Ferry rise to 213.3 ft. AM water levels at Crescent drop to 0.5 ft. below crest, elevation 183.5 ft. This lowering represents a reduction of approximately 1.5 ft. below levels normally observed during the canal navigation season. Removal of flashboards at Crescent is completed. PM water levels at Crescent rise to crest, elevation 184 ft. At Vischer Ferry water levels drop to elevation 211.1 ft. through the night.

AM water levels at Vischer Ferry drop to 0.3 to 0.5 ft. below crest. This lowering represents a reduction of approximately 2.5 ft. below water levels normally observed during the canal navigation season. Removal of flashboards and fish deterrent systems at Vischer Ferry is completed. PM water levels at Vischer Ferry return to crest, elevation 211 ft.

Barring any complications or inclement weather, the removal of the flashboards will be completed by November 30. Unforeseen precipitation and high water conditions may delay this schedule. Any questions regarding this work should be directed to John Osinski in NYPA’s Albany Office at 518-433-6742.

About NYPA:

■The New York Power Authority uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity.
■NYPA is a leader in promoting energy efficiency, new energy technologies and electric transportation initiatives.■It is the nation's largest state public power organization, with 17 generating facilities in various parts of New York State and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines.
■Approximately 80 percent of the electricity it produces is clean renewable hydropower. Its lower-cost power production and electricity purchases support hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout the state.■For more information, www.nypa.gov